Seeing Vienna's classic city sites at night - by bike - was an unforgettable experience.

When you imagine a memorable evening in Vienna, you probably think of a night at the opera and maybe some fine dining too. And you should, for Vienna is a classy town. From the elegant horse drawn carriages meandering down the cobblestones to open air concerts in public parks, this is a city that shines with bright lights and hums with fine music. But for all of Vienna's refinement and sophistication, there's still plenty of laid back, affordable, accessible fun to be had.

Seeing Vienna's classic sights by bike was a wonderful introduction to the city. While you might not know it as a cycling city (I know I didn't - I thought that crown was claimed by Amsterdam alone), locals have embraced this healthy, economical, and environmentally friendly mode of transport for decades. Vienna is ready to see its visitors on bikes and I'm glad I was one of them!

Rural Belgium is an unsung travel destination.

These colorful hills reminded me of Nova Scotia!

When you hop into the car for a bit of spontaneous exploration in Belgium, chances are you're not expecting to uncover lakes and rivers, hills and valleys. Belgium is a beautiful country, with arguably some of the most picturesque towns and cities in Europe, but it's not well known for wide open spaces, rolling hills, and rambling rivers. Our visit to the village of Landelies and to the nearby Aulne Abbey defied all our expectations and transformed the way we think about Belgium.